Tuesday, May 10, 2011

take one photo an hour for ten hours - capture a snapshot of the ordinary beauty of a simple day in your life!

Ok, I was teaching today and chose not to interrupt my teaching with photographs. So, these ten photos are not spaced evenly throughout my day. Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders saw me with my camera and posed for me. Consecutive grades, not hours.

Today's photographs made me realize that Spring is balancing on the precipice of Summer. The sky is blue, the children are giddy, the dandelions are blooming and all the colors are bright.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Make your own colorful coasters from images of vintage postage stamps.

Supplies:

Wooden or bamboo coasters (I got mine at Target for $4)

Four images printed in high quality to fit the coasters

Large paintbrush (bigger than in the picture)

Mod Podge, matte or glossy

Acrylic sealer, matte or glossy (not in the picture)

Paper cutter or scissors

1. Print your images. These four vintage stamp images plus a couple more are available to download and print at the bottom of this page. They will print 4" x 4", since that seems to be the typical coaster size.

2. Cut your images to size. Mine were 4" x 4". I rounded the corners slightly to match the bamboo coasters I bought.

3. Using a large paintbrush, spread your coasters with a thin, even layer of Mod Podge.

4. Lay your image on top of the Mod Podge and gently press down, starting in the center and working out. Make sure the edges are lined up well. Then, wipe away any Mod Podge that leaked out.

5. Let your image dry for 20-30 minutes.

6. Spread a thin, even layer of Mod Podge over your images.

7. Let it dry 20-30 minutes until it is dry and clear.

8. Add a two more coats, allowing them to dry in between applications.

9. Take your coasters outside where you have good ventilation. Spray them with your acrylic sealer according to the bottle's directions. I sprayed two coats of glossy.

(If you're outside, pay attention to the wind; you don't want this toxic stuff to spray all over you accidentally. Also, make sure you're not somewhere with lots of dirt or dust that may blow onto your coasters while the sealer is drying.)

Hello. I am Meg. I live in the mountains of Colorado. I spend my days raising my sons, age 3 and 18 months. I am a Waldorf teacher, wife, Mama, and maker of all sorts of things. This is my journal of things made, ideas, and tutorials. Cheers!